In an effort to address the impact of heart disease on vulnerable communities, a unique CPR kiosk is making its rounds in Philadelphia, starting its journey at the North10 community center in Hunting Park. The initiative, spearheaded by the American Heart Association (AHA), aims to provide hands-on CPR training and raise awareness about cardiovascular health in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by heart-related issues.
The kiosk features a user-friendly video touch screen that guides individuals through hands-only CPR techniques. After a practice session, users undergo a 30-second test, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, ensuring proper compression timing. The innovative kiosk, previously stationed at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is now strategically moved throughout the city every few months.
Jeffrey Salvatore, the AHA’s vice president of community impact for Greater Philadelphia, emphasizes the importance of targeting communities facing higher risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cardiac arrest. In areas like Hunting Park and East Tioga, where life expectancy lags behind Center City by more than 15 years, societal factors like unequal access to education, wage disparities, and limited healthy food options contribute to the health disparities.
“It’s these barriers that have increased the occurrence of chronic illnesses and conditions that result in experiencing an increased risk for cardiac arrest,” Salvatore noted.
Heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, poses a significant risk factor for cardiac arrest. In Philadelphia, a 2021 health department report highlighted heart disease as the city’s top cause of death, with Black residents disproportionately affected. These racial disparities align with national trends, where heart disease is more prevalent among Black, Latino, and South Asian populations compared to their white counterparts.
Sponsored by Jefferson Health, the CPR kiosk at North10 is part of a broader initiative with several units positioned throughout the city. Another mobile unit, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, was recently installed at the Wells Fargo Center, joining the ranks of previous kiosks at locations like Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center and the Independence Visitor Center in Old City.
While the kiosks at the Perelman Center and Independence Visitor Center trained over 23,000 individuals, the mobile units have the potential to reach or exceed that figure. More importantly, they play a crucial role in increasing awareness about heart disease and CPR skills in communities most affected by cardiovascular health challenges.
The CPR kiosk at North10, located at 3890 N. 10th St., is accessible daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a valuable resource for individuals looking to enhance their CPR proficiency and contribute to building heart-healthy communities.
